Hunting Rifle Advice

Ive shot bear, elk, deer and a few ground squirrels with my .270 all were recovered within 50yds of where they were shot. The ground squirrels were dead on impact.

 

Yeah and even O'Conner admitted the 30-06 was even more versatile than his beloved .270 Winchester.

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/rifles/jack-o’connor-versus-elmer-keith/

 

Lol Dead on impact is an understatement

 

Not a semi auto but I'm a big fan of the tikka t3 lite I bought last year in .308. Smoothest bolt right out of the box and shoots damn tight groupings.

 

Any experience with the Weatherby Vanguard? I read it's the best bang for your buck and guaranteed to shoot sub-moa out of the box (with Weatherby Ammo).

Edit: I'm mainly concerned with the trigger, I heard the adjustment is pretty crappy and needs to be replaced entirely.

 

I didn't read all these replies, but if you prefer a bolt action and don't want the recoil, get a .25-06. I had a bolt action 30-06 and I felt like someone was punching me in the face every time I shot it. I sold it and got a 25-06, and the difference in recoil is profound, considering how little you're giving up. That round will do anything you're asking of it and not punish you in the process. Other options include 260, 270, 280/180 Ackley Improved, 7mm-08, 308. There are many. If your main reason to not get a bolt action is recoil, I recommend getting a different chambering in a bolt action that won't kick as hard. It's pretty much personal preference. .270 is probably going to be the easiest one to find ammo for among those mentioned, but you can't go wrong with any of those choices.

 

Can't say I shoot mark V trigger is under 2lbs and breaks like glass

 

I've got one of the old Vanguards, when they still had beautiful walnut stocks and rich deep bluing on the metal. The trigger on it is very nice. However, I looked at (never shot) one of the newer Wallyworld Vanguards with the plastic stock and painted/coated metal and couldn't believe the difference in overall fit and finish. They may shoot just fine, but they certainly look cheesy. It makes me almost embarrassed to admit I own one, to the point I feel I must explain the differences.

 

Best bang for your buck? I guess it all depends on what kind of bang you are looking for. Nothing wrong with them. It's a Howa action and a decent barrel with an adjustable trigger. I've owned them and they worked fine. Are there better out there? You bet. Again, all depends on how you define best bang.


Several years back, almost every gun manufacturer decided to start making a cheaper product with a bigger profit margin. Some companies just added a new line like Weatherby did with the Vanguards and others created a new company like Sako did with Tikka. Either way, you are getting a cheaper version of the good stuff the company produces. It all depends on how much plastic and how disposable a rifle you are willing to live with.

I don't do press fit barrels or cheap injection molded stocks, but those guns still work. Best value for the dollar when all that matters is cost is probably a Ruger American. Cheap and accurate. Savage, Remington, Winchester, Browning, Weatherby all make lower cost guns that work, but there is a reason they cost less. You are not getting something for nothing. Most of them work just fine and if all you need is a tool to send lead down range, it really doesn't matter which one you pick. Almost all rifles made today, regardless of price, are more accurate than almost anything made 50 years ago.

Back to the original question about the vanguard. I would own one in a non weatherby round as long as the twist rate is good. They are a decent rifle as long as you are not expecting true weatherby class. The trigger is fine for a hunting rifle. In fact, the vanguard Camilla is one of the better rifles made for women today, except of course for the Kilimanjaro Artemis.

 

7x57

 

Have you considered .308? Several companies do make AR styled rifles in .308. That would fit the bill for light, with a dust cover, and semi auto. But that would mean tactical.

You could also look at the Springfield M1A if you want semi auto in large caliber without going "tacticool".

 

Found this
Ruger Gunsite Scout .308 Bolt-Action Rifle
at a local Big 5. Thoughts? I feel likes a pretty good deal.

http://www.big5sportinggoods.com/st...-bolt-action-rifle/0310130930010/_/A-4334587#

 

My thoughts: it certainly is an ugly thing. I guess it would make a great range/truck/prepper gun. Jeff Cooper pushed the scout rifle concept hard for many years and Ruger was about the only one who obliged. Personally, I find it butt ugly and unpractical for just about any use I would have. Steyr did a better scout concept, but it's still the same. It is supposed to be a CQC rifle, but who wants a bolt action CQC rifle? It would have been a great gun for WWI but I just can't see the use now. It's not a hunting rifle for any kind of hunting I would do.

Problems I have with it: Extended magazine (even 5rd) make for difficult one hand carry and digs into your ribs when slung over the shoulder. Way too heavy for a 16in barrel rifle. A 16in barrel 308 with flash hider may be fun to shoot with ear protection, but is not in the field. I have and do use a scout rifle setup (M1A) but really don't see a practical use of it other than for fun. Since every scoped rifle I have is the normal setup, I find switching to the scout setup on rare occasions to be slower than a normal scope. I find it fugly. Compare it to the Steyr and see how much Steyr did better: Longer barrel, lighter weight, flush fitting magazine (plus extended), extra magazine in stock, built in bipod.

 

Also this gun would limit your scope choice. I'd think you'd have to go with a EER set up.

OP, have you looked at a Remington model 7? It mostly fits your wants/needs.

 

Ive shot this gun its nice to shoot. If you like this style and want to save some money go to the Mossberg MVP in 308. Its plenty good hunting. The reason I like my MVP is its shorter so I can carry it on my atv and not get hung up on brush as much, it has rails on both sides of the front part of the gun so you can mount a side swivel and it doesnt dig into your back. It may seem a little heavy but its not really that bad. The MVP also takes ar-10 DPMS magazines while the ruger scout is proprietary...Dont get me wrong Ruger makes good guns. I just like Mossbergs version. YMMV

 

I agree with you. I used to almost exclusively hunt with a .30-06 when I was younger. I'm not recoil averse but a pump rifle in that caliber certainly lets you know it was there. Then my father in law gave me his old Remington model 722 chambered in .257 Roberts. Boy was that an eye opener for me! Lighter weight, virtually no recoil and the 117gr round nose bullets just put a wallop on white-tails. I grew to love that caliber!

Now I live in Montana and I still have that 722 and a custom 'mountain' Mauser in .257AI. Whole outfit weighs next to nothing, I can carry it on the field without worrying about scratching it and I can load up or down depending on game. Very accurate and truly a versatile cartridge for a mid-range gun.

I own a lot of rifles, and often have two in the truck. That .257 AI is ALWAYS one of those two.

 

The 722s (and 721s) are great classic rifles. The 700 might have looked better, but didn't really shoot any better. If you read any of fellow Montana gun writer John Barsness articles, he often times mentions his 722 Roberts that was his grandmothers. He and his wife use the Roberts regularly for deer, antelope and cow elk, although his wife's rifle is a NULA.

 

I've been primarily bird hunting over the past 6 years since I moved here, but I take that .257AI along for the ride, lol. What a great caliber.

Honestly for the OP I would recommend a .25-06 in a bolt. A Tikka T3 would be high on my list..

 

Do push ups.

You ever carry an M4 "through the bush and up the sides of mountains"? Still goes boom if you keep it lubed. Doesn't even need to be clean... just wet.

Same principal with an AR-10. Keep it lubed, keep the dust cover closed, and try not to ride it down the mountain side and it will work fine.

 

I like the Remington 700 action to build off of but if I was going to buy a gun to shoot out of the box it would be a Kimber Montana or mtn ascent.